One of the first music theory games I made was Pirate Treasure and it has always been a huge hit with my students – particularly when playing against me! In this two player game, students have to really know their note values or risk losing! It covers 1, 2, 3 and 4 beat notes so…
Category: music teaching
Sparking the imagination in music lessons
“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” Brad Henry Hands up if your imagination was a huge part of growing up! As a child I remember making dens in the garden with friends and hiding from dragons, or dressing up with clothes from mum’s wardrobe and pretending to be characters…
Apple Rocket: a customisable music theory game
A game ideal for music lessons which allows teachers to choose any notes to suit each individual student! If your music studio is anything like mine, you will have students at all kinds of different levels. No two students are the same even if they are at the same page of the tutor book. Some…
A piano can tell a story
“There are eighty-eight keys on a piano and within that, an entire universe” James Rhodes I found this quote a while ago and it really struck a chord (no pun intended!). When learning the piano growing up, I always loved how I could pick up a book of music and be transported to a different…
Spooky Town: a music theory game
Visit Spooky Town – just don’t tap the bats in this music rests game! Are you a music teacher looking for Halloween music theory games for your students? Spooky Town is a fun game for beginners and covers simple rests of 1 and 2 beats plus the whole bar rest. Students answer questions before entering…
NEW music mystery for beginners
Learn the tunes, search for clues and find the ‘Lost Diamond’ in this interactive mystery! A fun book of sheet music with accompanying online games. Fans of my first music mystery, ‘Who Ate My Cake’ will be delighted to hear I have made another one! Students use their musical detective skills to uncover the truth…
Dragon Wars: a free music theory game
“I love this game!!!” Student user Can you save the castle from the fire breathing dragon? In this fun and free music theory game, students have to know their note values well to defeat the dragon and win the game! It is perfect for beginner musicians. Each round, pick a bucket and hope it is…
Zoom music lessons and the 40 minute cut off
Are you getting caught out by the 40 minute limit on zoom? I’ve read a lot of posts during lockdown about music teachers having only one student in the lesson, but then another one enters the waiting room setting off the timer. It’s annoying isn’t it! There’s a lot of sense in getting the pro…
Using zoom during in person music lessons
When students started returning to the music studio this week I thought my use of Zoom would reduce. But actually I’ve found it really useful during in person lessons too. Last week I wrote about the use of A3 clear plastic wallets to put sheet music books in whilst COVID-19 is in circulation. It makes…
Hot Chilli: music flashcards game
There’s a reason why flashcards are so popular in most teaching subjects … because they are highly effective as a learning tool! Add a game in there too and they become motivational and fun. In the online game, Hot Chilli, students practice naming notes in either treble or bass clefs using the inbuilt flashcards. Ask…
An invisible tune
“Everything in the universe has rhythm, everything dances” Maya Angelou I found this quote today and thought how beautiful it is. It got me curious so I did a search to find out what Maya Angelou originally meant by it. I drew a blank, but that’s the great thing about quotes. It doesn’t really matter…
Monster Mash: a mystery adventure for beginner musicians
Can you help Max the detective find the mashed potato eating monster?! The monsters in Max’s town love to spend their days making music games and eating their favourite foods. But one of them eats so much mashed potato that the town keeps running out! Play the games to practice all kinds of beginner theory…
